Preview Roundups
December 22, 2018
Nashville at Boston 1:00 PM ET
The Boston Bruins could have a key player back in the lineup on Saturday afternoon as they seek their third consecutive victory when they host the road-challenged Nashville Predators. Patrice Bergeron, who has missed 16 games with rib and shoulder injuries, has had three straight days of practice and will be a game-time decision.
Columbus at Philadelphia 1:00 PM ET
The Philadelphia Flyers' goaltender of the future has infused a bit of optimism on a team that was spiraling out of control prior to his recall from Lehigh Valley of the American Hockey League. Carter Hart will attempt to become the fourth netminder in franchise history to win his first three NHL starts on Saturday afternoon when his team hosts former Flyers netminder Sergei Bobrovsky and the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Florida at Detroit 2:00 PM ET
The Detroit Red Wings responded after being challenged by their coach and look to string a pair of wins together for the first time in three weeks when the Florida Panthers pay a visit Saturday afternoon. The Red Wings had dropped four straight contests (0-3-1) before getting a strong effort from goalie Jonathan Bernier (38 saves) and scoring three unanswered goals for a 4-1 victory over Carolina on Thursday.
Montreal at Vegas 4:00 PM ET
If there were any questions that the Vegas Golden Knights' prowess at raucous T-Mobile Arena in their 2017-18 inaugural season was somewhat of a fluke, the team has dispelled any doubts over the past seven weeks. The Golden Knights have won six straight and nine of 10 at home entering Saturday's matchup versus the visiting Montreal Canadiens.
Los Angeles at San Jose 4:00 PM ET
The Los Angeles Kings could use any help they can get on the road these days, and they just may receive some when they visit the San Jose Sharks on Saturday afternoon. Ilya Kovalchuk, who has missed 10 games with an ankle injury, is expected to return to the lineup as the Kings attempt to halt their six-game slide (0-4-2) away from home.
St. Louis at Calgary 4:00 PM ET
The first-place Calgary Flames try for their second victory in seven days over St. Louis when they host the Blues on Saturday afternoon after getting an idea of where they stand on a league-wide basis. Calgary is coming off a 5-4 shootout loss Thursday to Tampa Bay, which boasts the most points in the league with 56 - nine more than the Flames - and is the early favorite to win the Stanley Cup.
Colorado at Arizona 7:00 PM ET
The Arizona Coyotes hope to salvage the finale of their three-game homestand and halt a three-game overall slide when they host the Colorado Avalanche on Saturday. Arizona has produced a total of two goals during the skid and has been held to fewer than two tallies in four of its last five contests.
Anaheim at Buffalo 7:00 PM ET
Less than 24 hours after having his lengthy point streak halted, Sam Reinhart looks to begin another one when the Buffalo Sabres host the Anaheim Ducks on Saturday. The 23-year-old was kept off the scoresheet in Friday's 2-1 loss at Washington, ending his run at a career-best 11 games.
NY Rangers at Toronto 7:00 PM ET
The Toronto Maple Leafs' rabid fans likely are pleased as punch to see the team re-ignite its high-octane offense in the last two outings. The Maple Leafs bid to skate into the Christmas break with their third straight victory on Saturday when they host the New York Rangers at Scotiabank Arena.
Washington at Ottawa 7:00 PM ET
The Washington Capitals will try to get their offense back in gear as they go for a seventh victory in eight games before the holiday break on Saturday against the Ottawa Senators. The Capitals dropped a 2-1 decision to Pittsburgh on Wednesday to snap their five-game losing streak and were able to pull out a win by the same score two nights later against visiting Buffalo.
Pittsburgh at Carolina 7:00 PM ET
Bryan Rust has been a one-man wrecking crew, scoring five of the Pittsburgh Penguins' last nine goals during the team's most recent four contests. After netting back-to-back game-winning tallies for the first time in his career, Rust bids to send the Penguins into the Christmas break on a high note Saturday when the club visits the Carolina Hurricanes.
Dallas at Minnesota 8:00 PM ET
The Dallas Stars and Minnesota Stars are each laboring heading into the Christmas break and a lack of offensive production is the main culprit for both teams. Dallas has dropped five of six games overall and four straight on the road entering Saturday night's matchup at Minnesota, which will be attempting to avoid a season-high fourth consecutive defeat.
Winnipeg at Vancouver 10:00 PM ET
Patrik Laine and Mark Scheifele are two of the Winnipeg Jets top offensive forces that attract plenty of attention, but it is forward Nikolaj Ehlers who is surging entering Saturday’s road trip finale at the Vancouver Canucks. Ehlers recorded his second hat trick in the past 12 games in Thursday’s 6-3 triumph at San Jose, giving him 17 points (10 goals, seven assists) in his past 13 contests as the Jets won for the 10th time in their past 12 games.
Tampa Bay at Edmonton 10:00 PM ET
The Tampa Bay Lightning are one of five teams to keep Edmonton captain Connor McDavid off the scoresheet in 34 games this season and will try to be the first to do it twice Saturday night when they visit the Oilers. Nikita Kucherov and captain Steven Stamkos each recorded three points as the NHL-best Lightning knocked off Edmonton 5-2 on Nov. 6 in Tampa Bay while McDavid was a minus-2 with five shots.